Priyanka Dhopade – The Conversation

johan63/Getty Images

October 4, 2026

The same satellite can have military and civilian functions. This creates a dilemma for NZ

Carolle Varughese, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Priyanka Dhopade, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

As geopolitical tensions rise, dual-use satellite technology could threaten the many benefits of the space services New Zealand relies on.

NASA

April 10, 2026

Artemis II: as humans return to the Moon, which of these 4 futures will we choose?

Priyanka Dhopade, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

NASA’s Artemis II mission has revived lunar ambition – and a potential new race between nations. Very different visions now complicate the human future of space.

Phil Walter/Getty Images

August 29, 2024

NZ’s Space Agency is both regulator and developer of the aerospace industry – that’s a point of tension

Priyanka Dhopade, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Catherine Qualtrough, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

The New Zealand Space Agency’s dual role as regulator and sector developer introduces a conflict of interest and skews the aerospace industry towards economic growth, at the cost of sustainability.

. NASA/Bill Anders

August 22, 2023

Sustainability is often an afterthought in space exploration – that needs to change as the industry grows

Priyanka Dhopade, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Carolle Varughese, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Lena Henry, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Te Kahuratai Moko-Painting, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Space exploration is often propelled by competition, driven by national pride and with little thought about consequence. It is time to consider space as a commons, not just a resource to exploit.

Contact Priyanka for